Chester Chronicle letters

Dec 23 2004

REGARDING your report that the RSPCA is investigating the discovery of two blackbirds and a squirrel shot and hanged from a tree in Elton. True, this cruelty is cause for concern.

However, please spare a thought for the more than 20 million turkeys slaughtered each year for human consumption, which the RSPCA cannot help.

Crowded in their thousands in insanitary sheds, never seeing the light of day, bred to be grossly and unnaturally over-weight to satisfy present day appetites, debeaked and slaughtered in ways we prefer not to know, these poor creatures deserve our protection.

The answer lies with the consumer. We appear to be unable to forego flesh, preferring rather to be horrified at instances of cruelty we have not ourselves perpetrated.

This is the season of goodwill, but we certainly ration that quality. Not very Christian, some would say.
MARIAN HUSSENBUX Wirral

I WAS disappointed to read in last week's Chester Chronicle that Cllr Bob Rudd used his position as Chair of the City Area Committee to attempt cheap political point-scoring against me and the Liberal Democrats.

He falsely accused me of dishonestly claiming sole credit for the six weeks police blitz in the Garden Lane area. What I actually wrote in the December College Ward 'Focus' was:

'At the City Area Committee meeting, 15 November, the police announced the introduction of 'Community Action Areas'. Cllr David Mead asked that priority be given to the Garden Lane Area and this was agreed.'

It is quite clear I did not claim sole credit for the police action. Maybe Labour has not yet come to terms with the fact they no longer have a monopoly on the City Area Committee and I am also a member, representing College Ward.

What would be more useful would be for Cllr Rudd to write about the concern that residents feel over the proposed move of the West Cheshire College to the Northgate car park.

Many people throughout city division believe that such a move could bring traffic and carparking chaos to the area. While it is important to have a high quality higher education college, it is equally important for its location to be compatible with the interests of everybody in the area, including traffic flow and car parking.

The application has now been submitted. It will shortly come before the City Council Planning Board. West Cheshire College has prepared a Travel Plan and this is now being examined by the County Council Highways Officers.

I believe it is important that the Highways Officers are given sufficient time to study the travel plan.

Their comments and recommendations should then be considered by the Local Joint Highways and Transportation Committee before the Planning Board come to make their decision. I realise that there is a risk that this would extend the time taken to make the planning decision to beyond the Government target figure.

But this is such an important matter for the future of Northgate area that the city council cannot afford to be rushed into the wrong decision.
CLLR DAVID MEAD Lib Dem Councillor for College Ward

FURTHER to your article on the report Stop, Look and Listen: Children Talk about Traffic, by Transport 2000 and Barnardo's, it is necessary to challenge Paul Smith's claims that if we base our approach to road safety on the views of children, more will die.

This comment is patronising. Children have very clear views about where local road dangers lie, they know which roads are difficult to cross and why, and they know which streets have fast traffic and which don't. Therefore, Transport 2000 and Barnardo's believe it is essential that local authorities seek the views of children to determine where the danger spots are.

The report was based not only on interviews with children but also on an extensive literature review, which was able to demonstrate which mechanisms in road traffic management are the most effective at saving lives. Time and time again it has been proven that 20mph speed limits save lives and so do speed cameras.

Evidence shows that 20mph speed limits reduce deaths and serious injuries among child pedestrians by an average of 70% and widespread use of speed cameras has reduced deaths and serious injuries among all road users by 40 per cent at camera sites. So how can Paul Smith claim these measures are based on 'cheap emotional appeals' and do not save lives?

Paul Smith's SafeSpeed 'organisation' is a one-man campaign. Smith claims to be an engineer but doesn't reveal what sort of engineer. It is certainly not clear whether or not he has any training in road safety. He is part of the libertarian movement, which believes people should be allowed to do exactly what they want, regardless of the effect on others, the environment or even themselves. He seems to believe drivers should be allowed to drive at whatever speed they want and that this 'freedom' is more important than the safety of others.

According to the Guardian (3 February 2004), Paul Smith has attracted adverse comment by using black SS letters on a red background to promote SafeSpeed, he has made light of death threats made against the leader of the Brake road safety charity (also reported in The Times) and claims it is safe to drive at 150mph on a road near his house. He is regarded as a nuisance by law enforcement authorities that one police chief sent out a memo advising staff not to reply to his constant bombardment of letters.

Among the links on his website are those to skid-pan centres.

Paul Smith has a clear agenda on driving behaviour but his SafeSpeed organisation is much more about 'speed' than 'safe'.
STEVE HOUNSHAM

AS CHRISTMAS approaches many people are making plans to go out and enjoy some of the many pubs, clubs and wine bars in the county.

People everywhere like to enjoy themselves and go to the pub to meet with friends and having a drink is part of the social scene.

Cheshire Police is working hard with other agencies to create a safe environment for everyone this Christmas. In towns, cities and villages, police officers are keen to ensure that this Christmas will be remembered by everyone for all the right reasons.

In previous years, however, the celebrations have sometimes been marred by those people who drink too much. When peoples intake of alcohol effects their judgement, their behaviour can cause problems for not just themselves but for other people too.

Women can be particularly vulnerable when the revelry turns to drunkenness. All too often young women can let their guard down when under the influence of drink. They are less aware of their surroundings and can become unwittingly involved in situations that they may not normally encounter when sober. Cheshire Police for this reason, are urging women in particular to adopt a responsible attitude to alcohol.

Police in Cheshire don't want to be knocking on doors to tell your family you have become a victim of an assault, or approach your friends or work colleagues for information concerning the night out to gather evidence for a court case.

At Christmas, the police want everyone to have a good time. It is a time when everyone should think about others, and follow a few simple guidelines to make sure that everyone has a good time, whether they are out on an office party, meeting friends or Christmas shopping.

Plan your evening - know your limits - stay together - think safety:

Do not drink to excess, know your limitations and stay within them. Don't mix your drinks or take drinks from people you do not know. If you allow someone to buy you a drink keep it with you at all times;

Look after yourself and keep an eye on your friends. If you meet new people do not wander off without telling your friends where you are.

Do not walk alone at night, particularly in dark deserted areas. Do not use mobile phones when you are in public places - they distract you and attract attention;

Arrange your transport home before you go out that way you can be sure of getting home safely. Pre booking taxis is a sensible precaution which will enable you to enjoy your evening with peace of mind. Under no circumstances should you accept a lift home from anyone whom you believe to be under the influence of drink or drugs.
DETECTIVE CHIEF INSPECTOR DAVID GRIFFIN